Adrenal Insufficiency

A condition in which the adrenal gland is compromised in its production of epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol, corticosterone or aldosterone. Symptoms include primarily fatigue, weakness, decreased appetite with ensuing weight loss, as well as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, or increased pigmentation of the skin. Cortical insufficiency (low or no corticosteroids) produces a more serious condition called Addison's Disease, characterized by extreme weakness, low blood pressure, pigmentation of the skin, shock or even death.

Also: Adrenal Exhaustion, Low Adrenal Function

Topics Related to Adrenal Insufficiency

“...The action of ACTH depends upon normally functioning adrenal glands and ACTH is therefore useless in disorders caused by adrenal insufficiency, for example as replacement therapy where both adrenal glands have been removed...”

“...factors include ... Systemic diseases (diabetes mellitus, syphilis, alcoholism – abstain for 30 days to see if there is improvement, drug dependency, hypopituitarism, and hypothyroidism, and adrenal insufficiency)...”

More topics Related to Adrenal Insufficiency

“...Risk factors are related to the cause and may include previous history of diabetes insipidus, previous history of adrenal insufficiency, previous history of a pituitary tumor, cessation of menses in a premenopausal woman, and short stature...”

“...An individual with adrenal exhaustion will usually suffer from chronic fatigue, may complain of feeling stressed-out or anxious, and will typically have a reduced resistance to allergies and infection...”

“Since melatonin helps to control excess cortisol production, those with low adrenal function and low cortisol levels need to be careful about taking too much melatonin: it can make them even more tired...”

“...Stress, Fatigue and Depression Research has demonstrated that pregnenolone produces other hormone-like substances in the body which can greatly improve our resistance to stress and adrenal exhaustion...”

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